Minnesota Game

“We have to approach it as a winner-takes-all, like a tournament game,” Greene said.

Is it me, or does this kind of nod to the belief that many of us have that this team just coasts whenever it feels it can? Why would you say that you have to treat this game like it's more important than other games? Why aren't they ALL important?

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

Quote from: DFF6 on November 25, 2014, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

They'll attack whenever CO is in, he's the only proven big man we have. Makes sence, no? Foul him out an maybe then have their way inside.
If possible, Lavin should wait until the under 12 minute timeout then put him in, and that's every game that they are in the lead or tied at the under 16min to.
We'll need Amar, Jones and Adonis to just rebound the damn ball. What skills is their to rebounding?
If you're a big boy, rebounding is all about attitude and fight. Fight for that damn ball.
Even Joey, put him in for 10minutes, he's a big boy.  I'm sure he can rebound alittle.

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 12:36:46 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on November 25, 2014, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

They'll attack whenever CO is in, he's the only proven big man we have. Makes sence, no? Foul him out an maybe then have their way inside.
If possible, Lavin should wait until the under 12 minute timeout then put him in, and that's every game that they are in the lead or tied at the under 16min to.
We'll need Amar, Jones and Adonis to just rebound the damn ball. What skills is their to rebounding?
If you're a big boy, rebounding is all about attitude and fight. Fight for that damn ball.
Even Joey, put him in for 10minutes, he's a big boy.  I'm sure he can rebound alittle.

Minnesota doesn't really run big either. Intensity runs high for first few min of the game. I'd spread them with super small lineup and see what I can do for first 4 min with front court of Pointer + Jones and play a trapping 3/4 zone.

Dictate the tempo and then switch it up with Obekpa in off the bench.

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

As an alternative what do we do? Turn to our stable of talented back up big men?

Quote from: mullin85berry86 on November 26, 2014, 01:04:57 AM

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 12:36:46 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on November 25, 2014, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

They'll attack whenever CO is in, he's the only proven big man we have. Makes sence, no? Foul him out an maybe then have their way inside.
If possible, Lavin should wait until the under 12 minute timeout then put him in, and that's every game that they are in the lead or tied at the under 16min to.
We'll need Amar, Jones and Adonis to just rebound the damn ball. What skills is their to rebounding?
If you're a big boy, rebounding is all about attitude and fight. Fight for that damn ball.
Even Joey, put him in for 10minutes, he's a big boy.  I'm sure he can rebound alittle.

Minnesota doesn't really run big either. Intensity runs high for first few min of the game. I'd spread them with super small lineup and see what I can do for first 4 min with front court of Pointer + Jones and play a trapping 3/4 zone.

Dictate the tempo and then switch it up with Obekpa in off the bench.

I honestly think that walk on who started vs GTown last year might be a better defender than Jones. Starting Jones might keep Obekpa out of foul trouble a little longer, but we will be losing so much with Jones on defense. I have never seen a worse defender that was on scholarship. It's as if he doesn't even know what defense is.

Vegas set the line at pick-em

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

Rest assured that not playing his five best players has occurred to Lavin.

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

Rest assured that not playing his five best players has occurred to Lavin.

It's "montissore", or whatever.

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 02:09:38 AM

Quote from: mullin85berry86 on November 26, 2014, 01:04:57 AM

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 12:36:46 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on November 25, 2014, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

They'll attack whenever CO is in, he's the only proven big man we have. Makes sence, no? Foul him out an maybe then have their way inside.
If possible, Lavin should wait until the under 12 minute timeout then put him in, and that's every game that they are in the lead or tied at the under 16min to.
We'll need Amar, Jones and Adonis to just rebound the damn ball. What skills is their to rebounding?
If you're a big boy, rebounding is all about attitude and fight. Fight for that damn ball.
Even Joey, put him in for 10minutes, he's a big boy.  I'm sure he can rebound alittle.

Minnesota doesn't really run big either. Intensity runs high for first few min of the game. I'd spread them with super small lineup and see what I can do for first 4 min with front court of Pointer + Jones and play a trapping 3/4 zone.

Dictate the tempo and then switch it up with Obekpa in off the bench.

I honestly think that walk on who started vs GTown last year might be a better defender than Jones. Starting Jones might keep Obekpa out of foul trouble a little longer, but we will be losing so much with Jones on defense. I have never seen a worse defender that was on scholarship. It's as if he doesn't even know what defense is.

He is not a good on ball defender but I am not sure why he is asked to switch and defend guards 23 feet from the basket. Of course hell get beat. Jones is however often quick to slide over and help after one of our guards lets their man by.  Hes also the only player on the team who has attempted to take a charge this season.

And Dave I like your idea but I am worrisome about starting off too slow. But perhaps not starting Obekpa could actually aid in that.

  Hes also the only player on the team who has attempted to take a charge this season.

Addition by Floptraction

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 12:36:46 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on November 25, 2014, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

They'll attack whenever CO is in, he's the only proven big man we have. Makes sence, no? Foul him out an maybe then have their way inside.
If possible, Lavin should wait until the under 12 minute timeout then put him in, and that's every game that they are in the lead or tied at the under 16min to.
We'll need Amar, Jones and Adonis to just rebound the damn ball. What skills is their to rebounding?
If you're a big boy, rebounding is all about attitude and fight. Fight for that damn ball.
Even Joey, put him in for 10minutes, he's a big boy.  I'm sure he can rebound alittle.

Joey?

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 12:36:46 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on November 25, 2014, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

They'll attack whenever CO is in, he's the only proven big man we have. Makes sence, no? Foul him out an maybe then have their way inside.
If possible, Lavin should wait until the under 12 minute timeout then put him in, and that's every game that they are in the lead or tied at the under 16min to.
We'll need Amar, Jones and Adonis to just rebound the damn ball. What skills is their to rebounding?
If you're a big boy, rebounding is all about attitude and fight. Fight for that damn ball.
Even Joey, put him in for 10minutes, he's a big boy.  I'm sure he can rebound alittle.

Adonis not playing awaiting eligibility clearance & Joey not eligible until January.

“We have to approach it as a winner-takes-all, like a tournament game,” Greene said.

So they're gonna approach it like the Big East Tourny and NIT last year?

Quote from: Poison on November 25, 2014, 11:49:18 PM

“We have to approach it as a winner-takes-all, like a tournament game,” Greene said.

So they're gonna approach it like the Big East Tourny and NIT last year?

I laughed.

Quote from: Poison on November 25, 2014, 11:49:18 PM

“We have to approach it as a winner-takes-all, like a tournament game,” Greene said.

So they're gonna approach it like the Big East Tourny and NIT last year?

LOL. Good one.

Quote from: Poison on November 26, 2014, 02:28:44 AM

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 02:09:38 AM

Quote from: mullin85berry86 on November 26, 2014, 01:04:57 AM

Quote from: Dave on November 26, 2014, 12:36:46 AM

Quote from: DFF6 on November 25, 2014, 11:43:36 PM

Quote from: Dave on November 25, 2014, 11:28:36 PM

I wonder if Lav would consider Obekpa off the bench?

You worried about foul trouble, Dave?

Very. I think they will attack early.

They'll attack whenever CO is in, he's the only proven big man we have. Makes sence, no? Foul him out an maybe then have their way inside.
If possible, Lavin should wait until the under 12 minute timeout then put him in, and that's every game that they are in the lead or tied at the under 16min to.
We'll need Amar, Jones and Adonis to just rebound the damn ball. What skills is their to rebounding?
If you're a big boy, rebounding is all about attitude and fight. Fight for that damn ball.
Even Joey, put him in for 10minutes, he's a big boy.  I'm sure he can rebound alittle.

Minnesota doesn't really run big either. Intensity runs high for first few min of the game. I'd spread them with super small lineup and see what I can do for first 4 min with front court of Pointer + Jones and play a trapping 3/4 zone.

Dictate the tempo and then switch it up with Obekpa in off the bench.

I honestly think that walk on who started vs GTown last year might be a better defender than Jones. Starting Jones might keep Obekpa out of foul trouble a little longer, but we will be losing so much with Jones on defense. I have never seen a worse defender that was on scholarship. It's as if he doesn't even know what defense is.

He is not a good on ball defender but I am not sure why he is asked to switch and defend guards 23 feet from the basket. Of course hell get beat. Jones is however often quick to slide over and help after one of our guards lets their man by.  Hes also the only player on the team who has attempted to take a charge this season.

And Dave I like your idea but I am worrisome about starting off too slow. But perhaps not starting Obekpa could actually aid in that.

Good points. I have not seen every game this season, but I was hoping to see a fire in him that built up over a year of watching. Where's his drive? He's like all the other kids on Twitter whining about his girlfriend. Kid needs to box out, and fight for rebounds. He's ripped up, but he doesn't play with fire. He needs to wake up.

SJU getting +1.5 right now. Sheesh.

Good Luck tonight, I'm expecting this to be a close battle throughout. We'll be down to essentially 4 guards to play 3 spots with Mcneil's arrest. You guys usually pack MSG for these types of things?